World Famous Comics: The Elements of Style: A Style Guide for Writers
The Elements of Style: A Style Guide for Writers
By: William Strunk Jr. Publisher: Paramount Publishing Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Paramount Publishing Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 64 Publication Date: December 16, 2005 Release Date: December 16, 2005
Clarity, brevity and style. A little masterpiece. In our age of sloppy TV captioning, txt and other loose applications of our language and grammar there is something of a revival (perhaps it is a backlash) for books on grammar and the art of writing.
Already EATS SHOOTS & LEAVES has made the best-seller lists, and now we're seeing a repackaging industry forming around Strunk's ELEMENTS OF STYLE. Last December the gorgeous illustrated 4th Edition was published in hardcover, and now we have the reprint of the 1918 first edition. Which is the best choice?
First, I'd eliminate EATS SHOOTS AND LEAVES from consideration. It is a pretty sniffy volume, and I was utterly worn out by the author's hyperactive style of prose. Also, the review in New Yorker fairly pointed out at least a dozen faux pas made by the author. Worse, I detected in that volume the peculiarly English propensity to equate decent grammar with class consciousness. ES&L carries an unpleasant whiff of snobbery that detracts from the discussion.
A far better choice is The Elements of Style. It has deservedly functioned for decades as a bible for journalists and other dedicated wordsmiths. As a buyer you have the choice of this reprint of the 1918 text or the 4th edition that was largely updated by that master of clear, powerful prose: E.B. White
Despite its age, this 1918 book still has immediacy and relevance because the focus is on brevity, clarity and the fine art of telling the story without distractions and frills. In that sense it is a thoroughly modern volume that recognises that we needn't over-decorate our sentences in order to make our point and to paint our pictures. The rules of grammar laid down here are still true.
Yes, it shows some signs of age. Nevertheless I can happily recommend this volume, though I prefer the updated Strunk & White edition for my day to day reference. It was revised for a reason.
Even so, either edition deserves to live by your computer, or to dwell on the desk of your kids. And I hope you wear out your copy: this is a tradition for owners of this simple, direct masterpiece.
The original of the great guide I first encountered Strunk and White's 'Elements of Style' when I was an undergraduate, and I have been a fan of this book ever sense. Perhaps it is because of the excellent teamwork that is apparent on the pages between the master of language, William Strunk, and the master of narrative, E.B. White. How can you go wrong learning grammar from the likes of the author of such wonderful tales as Stuart Little?
During my English composition class as an undergraduate, we had to read this book twice, once at the beginning of the term, and again at the end. I have since referred to the pages so often that I am on my fourth or fifth copy, as the binding and pages have worn out from use. Long before books such as 'Woe is I' or 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves', this book, 'The Elements of Style' has held a certain pride of place in being useful, accessible and interesting in its presentation of a traditionally and typically boring subject - grammar and usage.
Among the pieces I re-read on a frequent basis is the list of commonly misused or abused words and phrases. Here is a list of easily corrected mistakes that the typical writer and speaker needs to keep in mind. Also, the suggestions for composition are gentle reminders that creativity and good craftsmanship need not be contradictory.
'Elements of Style' has been such a popular book that it has undergone several revisions, and has been in print for a very long time. However, this text brings back the original work, the 'authorised' version, as it were, by which to compare the later revised and new revised standard version. If I am making this sound like a work of biblical stature, you may be on to something - just as people swear on the Bible in courts and to take oaths, there are many who swear by this text for proper command of the English langauge.
This is a wonderful gift and wonderful treat for oneself.
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